The Class of 2026 has 185 students, but we are only focused on one senior. That senior is Zel-mari Kamm, who mainly goes by Zelli. Zelli is bubbly, welcoming, and full of leadership. During her days, she is focused on FFA, work, and school.

As the elected 2025-26 FFA Vice President, she strives to improve her peers and the community. Zelli has been involved in the New Ulm FFA Chapter for all four years of high school, serving on the Officer Team for three of those years. She was elected the Reporter during her sophomore and junior years and moved up to Vice-President her senior year. During her membership, she has received her Greenhand, Chapter, and State Degrees. The accomplishment she is most proud of is applying for a Swine Proficiency and getting first place in the region.

When Zelli isn’t focused on FFA, you will find her working. She works on a dairy farm, where she milks cows at 6:00 a.m. She has also completed a part-time internship with Wakefield Pork Inc., where she learned new marketing techniques and problem-solving skills.

Next fall, Zelli will be attending South Central College in Mankato to major in Agribusiness and minor in Accounting. Her internship at Wakefield really opened her eyes and allowed her to find an interest in accounting for an Ag-based company.

Another huge part of Zelli’s life is her contribution as Miss Lafayette. She was recently crowned in August, 2025. This opportunity to serve her community has given her reasons to show up and give her best to her peers. She has been to many major events, such as parades, working with the Lafayette Fire Department, and visiting her other “Sparkle Sisters,” who are royalty from the surrounding areas.

Zelli’s advice to younger students is to live life to the fullest and not let anyone stop them from chasing what they want. She lives by this every day while at school, work, FFA, and royalty.